Beverage can closure

ABSTRACT

The beverage can closure comprises a can, a sliding cover, and a cover retainer. The sliding cover may be located on the top of the can. The sliding cover may slide along a cover retainer on a rim of the can such that the sliding cover may be moved over an opening of the can to prevent insects or debris from entering the can. The sliding cover may be moved away from the opening in order to drink from the can. As non-limiting examples, the cover retainer may be a track or a ridge on the rim of the can that retains the distal edge of the sliding cover. The proximal edge of the sliding cover may be retained by a tab and/or a rivet located at the center top of the can.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of containers, more specifically, a beverage can closure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The beverage can closure comprises a can, a sliding cover, and a cover retainer. The sliding cover may be located on the top of the can. The sliding cover may slide along the cover retainer on a rim of the can such that the sliding cover may be moved over an opening of the can to prevent insects or debris from entering the can. The sliding cover may be moved away from the opening in order to drink from the can. As non-limiting examples, the cover retainer may be a track or a ridge on the rim of the can that retains the distal edge of the sliding cover. The proximal edge of the sliding cover may be retained by a tab and/or a rivet located at the center top of the can.

An object of the invention is to provide a sliding cover on the top of a can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sliding cover that is moveable to a position that blocks the opening of the can for the purpose of preventing insects and debris from entering the can or to a position that unblocks the opening for the purpose of drinking from the can.

A further object of the invention is to retain the sliding cover using a retainer cover at a distal edge of the sliding cover and a rivet and/or tab at the proximal edge of the sliding cover.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide beveled edges on the sides of the sliding cover to make the sliding cover easier to move.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the beverage can closure will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the beverage can closure in detail, it is to be understood that the beverage can closure is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the beverage can closure.

It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the beverage can closure. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating a closed can with the sliding cover in the position that unblocks the can opening.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating an open can with the sliding cover in the position that blocks the can opening.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure across 4-4 as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the use of a track as the cover retainer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure across 4-4 as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the use of a ridge as the cover retainer.

FIG. 6A is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the sliding cover as seen from above.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure across 6B-6B as shown in FIG. 6A illustrating the beveled edges of the sliding cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein ad “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. As used herein, the word “or” is intended to be inclusive.

Detailed reference will now be made to a first potential embodiment of the disclosure, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6B.

The beverage can closure 100 (hereinafter invention) comprises a can 200, a sliding cover 230, and a cover retainer 250. The sliding cover 230 may be located on the top of the can 200. The sliding cover 230 may slide along the cover retainer 250 on a rim 210 of the can 200 such that the sliding cover 230 may be moved over an opening 204 of the can 200 to prevent insects or debris from entering the can 200 and may be moved away from the opening 204 in order to drink from the can 200.

The can 200 may be a container for a beverage. The can 200 may comprise a cylindrical wall 212, a can bottom 214, and a can top 216. In some embodiments, the cylindrical wall 212 and the can bottom 214 may be stamped and drawn from a single blank of material. As a non-limiting example, the material may be aluminum. The can top 216 may be coupled to the top of the cylindrical wall 212 after the beverage has been placed into the can 200. As a non-limiting example, the can top 216 may be crimped to the cylindrical wall 212 to form a double seal 218 at the rim 210 of the can top 216.

The can top 216 may comprise a scored edge 202 and a stay tab 206 held in place by a rivet 208 located at the center of the can top 216. The opening 204 may be punctured by lifting a first end 220 of the stay tab 206. Lifting the first end 220 of the stay tab 206 may cause the stay tab 206 to pivot at the rivet 208 thus pushing a second end 222 of the stay tab 206 down. Downward pressure form the second end 222 of the stay tab 206 may cause material within the scored edge 202 to bend down, exposing the opening 204.

The sliding cover 230 may be a slab of rigid or semi-rigid material in the shape of a trapezoid. The sliding cover 230 may be located on the top side of the can top 216. A proximal edge 232 of the sliding cover 230 may be held in place by the rivet 208 and/or the stay tab 206. A distal edge 234 of the sliding cover 230 may be held in place by the cover retainer 250. In some embodiments, the distal edge 234 may form an arc to match the curve of the cover retainer 250. The sliding cover 230 may comprise a first beveled edge 236 and a second beveled edge 238 connecting the distal edge 234 to the proximal edge 232 on each side of the sliding cover 230. The first beveled edge 236 and the second beveled edge 238 may be beveled such that the first beveled edge 236 and the second beveled edge 238 are thinner than a central portion 240 of the sliding cover 230.

The cover retainer 250 may prevent the distal edge 234 of the sliding cover 230 from lifting away from the can top 216. In some embodiments, the cover retainer 250 may be a track 252. The track 252 may be a groove on the interior of the rim 210 that encircles at least 50 percent of the can top 216. In some embodiments, the cover retainer 250 may be a ridge 254. The ridge 254 may be a protrusion of the interior of the rim 210 that encircles at least 50 percent of the can top 216. The ends of the ridge 254 may turn down to prevent the sliding cover 230 from sliding out of the cover retainer 250 if the ridge 254 does not completely encircle the rim 210.

In use, the can 200 may be opened by pulling the first end 220 of the stay tab 206 and forcing the second end 222 of the stay tab 206 to break the seal at the scored edge 202 of the opening 204. A user may drink from the can 200 through the opening 204. When not drinking from the can 200, the user may slide the sliding cover 230 around the rim 210 to a position above the opening 204 where the sliding cover 230 may prevent insects or debris from entering the can 200. When the user wishes to drink from the can 200 again, the user may slide the sliding cover 230 back around the rim 210 to its original position.

Definitions

Unless otherwise stated, the words “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, and “lower” should be interpreted within a gravitational framework. “Down” is the direction that gravity would pull an object. “Up” is the opposite of “down”. “Bottom” is the part of an object that is down farther than any other part of the object. “Top” is the part of an object that is up farther than any other part of the object. “Upper” refers to top and “lower” refers to the bottom. As a non-limiting example, the upper end of a vertical shaft is the top end of the vertical shaft.

As used in this disclosure, an “arc” refers to a portion of a circumference or a curved perimeter. When applied to an angle, the arc also refers to a measure of an angular span as measured from a circle at the vertex formed by the sides of the angle.

As used in this disclosure, a “beverage” is a liquid that is intended for consumption by a person.

As used herein, the words “couple”, “couples”, “coupled” or “coupling”, refer to connecting, either directly or indirectly, and does not necessarily imply a mechanical connection.

As used in this disclosure, the terms “distal” and “proximal” may be used to describe relative positions. Distal refers to the object, or the end of an object, that is situated away from the point of origin, point of reference, or point of attachment. Proximal refers to the object, or end of an object, that is situated towards the point of origin, point of reference, or point of attachment. Distal implies ‘farther away from’ and proximal implies ‘closer to’. In some instances, the point of attachment may be the where an operator or user of the object makes contact with the object. In some instances, the point of origin or point of reference may be a center point or a central axis of an object and the direction of comparison may be in a radial or lateral direction.

As used in this disclosure, the word “interior” is used as a relational term that implies that an object is located or contained within the boundary of a structure or a space.

As used in this disclosure, “resilient” or “semi-rigid” refer to an object or material which will deform when a force is applied to it and which will return to its original shape when the deforming force is removed.

As used in this disclosure, a “ridge” is an elevated or raised portion of a structure.

As used herein, “rigid” refers to an object or material which is inflexible. If a force is applied to a rigid object the rigid object does not bend or deform unless the force applied reaches the breaking point of the rigid object.

As used in this disclosure, a “rim” is an outer edge or border that follows along the perimeter of an object.

As used in this disclosure, a “track” is a device that is used to control the path of motion of an object in at least one dimension.

As used in this disclosure, a “trapezoid” is a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides. An isosceles trapezoid is a trapezoid for which a line exists that: 1) intersects opposite sides of the trapezoid; and, 2) bisects the trapezoid into two congruent shapes or structures.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in FIGS. 1 through 6B, include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the invention.

It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

The inventor claims:
 1. A beverage can and closure comprising: a can, a sliding cover, a can top, and a cover retainer; wherein the sliding cover is located on the can top; wherein the sliding cover slides along the cover retainer on a rim of the can such that the sliding cover is moved over an opening of the can to prevent insects or debris from entering the can and is moved away from the opening in order to drink from the can; wherein the can is a container for a beverage; wherein the can comprises a cylindrical wall, a can bottom, and the can top; wherein the cylindrical wall and the can bottom are stamped and drawn from a single blank of material; wherein the can top is coupled to the top of the cylindrical wall after the beverage has been placed into the can; wherein the can top comprises a scored edge and a stay tab held in place by a rivet located at the center of the can top; wherein the opening is punctured by lifting a first end of the stay tab; wherein lifting the first end of the stay tab causes the stay tab to pivot at the rivet thus pushing a second end of the stay tab down; wherein downward pressure form the second end of the stay tab causes material within the scored edge to bend down, exposing the opening; wherein a distal edge of the sliding cover is held in place by the cover retainer; wherein the sliding cover comprises a first beveled edge and a second beveled edge connecting the distal edge to the proximal edge on each side of the sliding cover; wherein the first beveled edge and the second beveled edge are beveled such that the first beveled edge and the second beveled edge are thinner than a central portion of the sliding cover.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The beverage can and closure according to claim 1 wherein the material is aluminum.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The beverage can and closure according to claim 4 wherein the can top is crimped to the cylindrical wall to form a double seal at a rim of the can top.
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. The beverage can and closure according to claim 6 wherein the sliding cover is a slab of rigid or semi-rigid material.
 10. The beverage can and closure according to claim 9 wherein the sliding cover is located on a top side of the can top.
 11. The beverage can and closure according to claim 10 wherein a proximal edge of the sliding cover is held in place by the rivet and/or the stay tab.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The beverage can and closure according to claim 11 wherein the distal edge forms an arc to match a curve of the cover retainer.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The beverage can and closure according to claim 13 wherein the cover retainer prevents the distal edge of the sliding cover from lifting away from the can top.
 16. The beverage can and closure according to claim 15 wherein the cover retainer is a track; wherein the track is a groove on the interior of the rim that encircles at least 50 percent of the can top.
 17. The beverage can and closure according to claim 15 wherein the cover retainer is a ridge; wherein the ridge is a protrusion of the interior of a rim that encircles at least 50 percent of the can top.
 18. The beverage can and closure according to claim 17 wherein the ends of the ridge turns down to prevent the sliding cover from sliding out of the cover retainer if the ridge does not completely encircle the rim. 